Govt refutes Reuters report on demanding source code from Apple, Samsung

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has said that a Reuters report which claims the union government has demanded that smartphone makers share their source code is false. The report also stated that firms like Apple and Samsung have to implement software changes due to the government’s security concerns.

"MeitY refutes the statement by an international news organisation that Government is proposing to force smartphone makers to share source code with the government and make several software changes as part of a raft of security measures, prompting opposition from giants like Apple and Samsung,” the PIB release said.



PIB clarified that the ministry of information & technology (MeitY) has begun stakeholder consultations to introduce a regulatory framework for mobile security, but the final regulations are to be finalised through consultation with the industry.

The Reuters report published on Sunday discussed 83 security standards, some of which include alerting the government about major software updates at the risk of revealing proprietary details. The report was apparently based on a review of confidential government and industry documents.

The PIB release emphasised that mobile security is a critical priority, given that over a billion users in the country store vast amounts of personal and financial data on their devices, making them prime targets for cybercriminals.

"The Ministry reiterates that all legitimate concerns raised by the industry will be examined with an open mind, in the best interests of both the country and the industry," the press release mentioned.